ISOLATION AND EVALUATION OF THE LIGNINOLYTIC ENZYME ACTIVITY OF MACROMYCETES OF THE STATE OF VERACRUZ, MEXICO

Fungal diversity in the state of Veracruz, Mexico, is a source of enzymes with biotechnological value. The objective of this study was to isolate and evaluate qualitatively (in Petri dishes) and quantitatively (in liquid and solid fermentation) the ligninolytic enzyme activities of native macromycetes. Seventy isolates were made, and 41 showed laccase activity in the qualitative assessment. The best strains from the qualitative assessment were Trametes maxima SM9, Pycnoporus sanguineus ACT1 and Daedalea elegans PM7. These strains were chosen to evaluate the laccase and manganese peroxidase (MnP) activities in Bose, Koroljova and Sivakumar liquid culture media and for agroindustrial waste in wheat straw, sugar cane bagasse and pine sawdust. The highest laccase and MnP activities were obtained in Sivakumar culture medium. Trametes maxima showed the highest values for laccase (9121.8 U/mg of protein) and MnP (477.9 U/mg of protein) activities, followed by P. sanguineus ACT1 (laccase = 5422.2 U/mg of protein and MnP = 41.0 U/mg of protein) and D. elegans PM7 (laccase = 1784.2 U/mg of protein and MnP = 40.0 U/mg of protein). In regards to the solid state fermentation, P. sanguineus ACT1 produced the highest laccase activity on wheat straw (1409.0 U/mg dry weight) and sugar cane bagasse (1404.8 U/mg dry weigh). Meanwhile, MnP activities were higher in sugar cane bagasse for P. sanguineus ACT1 and T. maxima SM9 with 619.0 and 519.6 U/mg dry weight, respectively. Trametes maxima SM9 and P. sanguineus ACT1 are considered good candidates for laccase and MnP production.